Aflatoxin M1 contamination of raw and pasteurized milk produced in Sanandaj, Iran

• Main Authors: Mafakheri, Sh., Ghasemipour, N., Khezri, M., Mohammadian, B., Poorghafour Langroudi, P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute 2010-07-01
• Series: Archives of Razi Institute
• Subjects: Milk; Aflatoxin; measurement; ELISA
• Online Access: http://www.archrazi.com/browse.php?a_id=171&sid=1&slc_lang=en

This study was conducted to evaluate and compare the levels of aflatoxin M1 in raw and pasteurized milk samples during different seasons by Enzyme- Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay in Sanandaj, Iran. In 257 (94.49%) out of 272 milk samples the presence of aflatoxin M1 was detected in concentrations ranging between 0.007 and 115.930 ng/l. AFM1 level in 12 (4.4%) of positive samples were higher than the maximum tolerance limit (50 ng/l) accepted by Iran and European Union countries. Statistical evaluations showed that the differences between raw and pasteurized samples were not significant (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between spring and summer but the differences between other seasons were statistically significant. Winter samples with 22.35 ng/l and summer samples with 5.14 ng/l had the highest and lowest concentration, respectively (p<0.05). Since contamination of milk with aflatoxin is a potential risk for human health, milk and milk products should be controlled periodically for Aflatoxin contamination.